STUDENTS across the region are reaping the benefits of a new pocket-sized health guide.

Thousands of young people have been targeted in the campaign which aims to educate children in a range of areas, from mind and body issues to general advice.

The guide, called Alive and Kicking, has been distributed to youngsters throughout Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, in a bid to help them during the often stressful growing-up years.

Dubbed “the little book of health”, the booklet has been produced by NHS South of Tyne and Wear to give 16 to 24-year-olds useful advice and information on keeping mind and body healthy and where to find help if they have a problem.

The publication, which aims to be a one-stop guide, also contains details of helpful websites, telephone numbers and directions to local health services.

And NHS South of Tyne made sure to involve the young people they were targeting in the development process of the guide, so every bit of information is what youngsters asked to be included.

Alive and Kicking was devised with input from youngsters themselves, through youth clubs hosted by the A690 youth initiative in Sunderland, pupils at St Joseph’s RC Comprehensive School, Hebburn, and a drama group at The Cave youth centre in South Shields.

They were asked for their ideas on the name, content, and design and they highlighted the importance of incorporating websites, as the internet is such an important tool for the age group at which it is aimed.

It covers everything from alcohol, smoking, drugs and sexual health to mental health and wellbeing, bullying and sun and sunbed safety.

It also explains many things which young people may not have had to deal with during the earlier stages of their life, such as how to find a local GP and dentist and even how to sign up for organ donation and giving blood.

Alive and Kicking is now being made widely available to students in schools and colleges and in training organisations, and through youth centres and Connexions offices.

Alan Johnson, centre manager at MPC North, Saltmeadows Road, Gateshead, which provides training for 16 to 18-year-olds wishing to join the armed forces, said the booklet was proving extremely popular.

He said: “I think it’s a brilliant resource for our students because it brings together lots of useful information to help them to keep themselves safe and well.”

Alyson Learmonth, director of public health for Gateshead, said the aim of Alive and Kicking was to provide useful information in the most accessible way on the topics which affect young people’s lives and, particularly, their health.

She added: “As they get older, young people are, perhaps, less likely to want to listen to advice from their parents or teachers.

“Alive and Kicking gives them the information that they need to make their own choices, adding to their independence.

“In producing Alive and Kicking, we have given young people what they told us they wanted, taking on board their suggestions for the design and content.

“Whether they have a health concern or are worried about a friend, or are simply curious about general health, we hope that they will find it useful.”

Angela Badsey-Doyle, account manager with Key Training in Sunderland, which arranges apprenticeships for 16 to 18-year-olds, said Alive and Kicking was proving very popular.

She said: “Obviously, we get a lot of young people coming in here and we leave copies for them to look through and it’s the perfect size to put in their pocket and take away to use at their convenience.”

Rayner Healey, 19, an office apprentice at Key Training’s base in West Sunniside, in Sunderland, added: “I love the booklet. I think it’s really good to have all this useful contact information in one place.”

As they get older, young people are, perhaps, less likely to want to listen to advice from their parents or teachers